Special Rooms For COVID Positive Students, Free Transport & Other Facilities For JEE Aspirants

The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main began on Tuesday amid all the calls and pleas to postpone it due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

While a large section of the students and parents are apprehensive about their safety, several states are doing their best to make it easier for them to appear for the exams.

AFP

Since the lack of transport was one of the prime concerns raised by those demanding the postponement of the exams, many states have made special arrangements for them.

Rajasthan offering free transport

Rajasthan government has announced free transportation for students to reach their scheduled examination centres.

As the JEE exams have started on Tuesday, Principal Secretary Abhay Kumar said, "Lockdown norms shall not be considered for the JEE-NEET applicants as well as their parents and guardians. Admit card, hard and soft copy, shall be considered as a valid document during this phase."

bccl

The JEE exams will be held in nine districts of the state till September 7, including Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar and Shri Ganganagar.

NEET exams from Set 12-14

Similarly, the NEET exams will be held from September 12 to 14 in six cities, including Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur.

During the scheduled days of NEET and JEE Main examination, hotels, restaurants and dharamshalas will remain open for the candidates and their parents.

However, the candidates, their guardians and restaurants will have to follow standard operating procedures (SOP) guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Karnataka State Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the state government is focused and responsible for ensuring that the children who like to pursue professional careers should not be jeopardised with the situation.

bccl

"We will ensure that they are protected, safety measures are taken and at the same time, they excel in their careers," he said.

Mumbai, students can use special suburban services

In Mumbai, students appearing for the upcoming JEE and NEET exams were permitted to use the special suburban services of Central and Western Railways on exam days.

According to a joint press release by the Central and Western Railways, the admit cards of the candidates will be considered as proof to enter stations with companions.

The frequency of trains will also be increased to help the students.

They have, however, been asked to follow SOPs and maintain social distancing during their journey.

At the exam centres, measures such as maintaining social distancing norms, use of hand sanitisers and thermal screening were in place.

reuters

The centre staff also made marks on the paths outside the exam centres to ensure that students maintain social distancing at all times.

Posters were put across the centre listing health measures such as washing hands, use of masks, and social distancing.

As far as aspirants who have COVID-19 or are suspected of having the infection are concerned, they were given special rooms to appear for the exam.

bccl

To ensure social distancing is maintained, fewer students were accommodated in each exam halls.

Though students were asked to bring their own masks and sanitisers, they were also made available at all exam halls.